Study of Impact of Air Pollution on Plants by Estimation of Apti of Certain Trees in Katraj Area in Pune City

Abstract

Air pollution is one of major concerns in Pune City currently. Study highlights increase in Particulate matter from Vehicular sources & Urbanization in Karaj area is having harmful impact on the trees in the area. Leaf of Plant species such as Peepal( Ficusreligiosa),, Tamarind(Tamarindusindica), Rain tree( Samaneasaman), Ashoka( Saracaasoca), Manago( Mangiferaindica), Almond( Terminaliacatappa) , Banyan tree(Ficusbenghalensis) were selected and it was found that Ashoka( Saracaasoca), Mango tree( Mangiferaindica) showed Intermediate APTI whereas Peepal, Tamarind, Rain tree, Almond, Banyan tree were found to be Sensitive to pollution. KEYWORDS: Air Pollutants, APTI of plants, Total Chlorophyll, Ascorbic acid, p H of leaf, Relative water Content ( RWC)